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Citation

Harris, Kathleen Mullan; Edwards, John R.; Sawhill, Isabel V.; Horn, Wade F.; Garrison, Marsha; Duncan, Greg J.; Orthner, Dennis K.; Newman, Katherine S.; O'Connor, Alice; & Ellwood, David T. (2006). Family Structure, Poverty, and Family Well-Being: An Overview of Panel 2. Employee Rights and Employment Policy Journal, 10(1), 45-80.

Abstract

This session focused on the interrelationships among family structure, family transitions, child or adult well-being and poverty, and how social policy can best address poverty in the family arena. In response to these cultural and structural changes in the family, the 1996 welfare reform legislation, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (PRWORA), was designed to reinforce values about work and family among the poor in America. It certainly is true that married couples are less likely to be poor, they experience better health, and their children fare better as well. We also know that contrary to common stereotypes, many of the men with whom these women have had children are in fact working and earning wages. Bill Bradley in his campaign many years ago said, "The child poverty rate is a public policy concern." But we have to shift our public policy direction and recognize that we have a severe gender gap in the policies that support women and men's economic opportunity.

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2006

Journal Title

Employee Rights and Employment Policy Journal

Author(s)

Harris, Kathleen Mullan
Edwards, John R.
Sawhill, Isabel V.
Horn, Wade F.
Garrison, Marsha
Duncan, Greg J.
Orthner, Dennis K.
Newman, Katherine S.
O'Connor, Alice
Ellwood, David T.

ORCiD

Harris, KM - 0000-0001-9757-1026